Measuring instrument



L. GESS 'umysunme INSTRUMENT 211521121. 21, 1940 y Sept. 15, 1942,

2 Sheets-Shin 2 INVENTOR' LOUIS GESS Bw 'AT ORNEY Patented Sept. 15, 1942 N UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE n i MEASURHZSZRUMENT l l `Louis Gess, Jenkintown, Pa., Company,

Brown Instrument assignor to The Philadelphia, Pa.,

a corporation of Pennsylvania "Application February 21, 1940, Serial No. 320,001

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to instruments which control the weight of air flowing through a. duct and more particularly to a ilow controller which is compensated for changes in atmospheric conditions.

Ordinarily flow controllers regulate the ow f the fluid in such a manner that a constant volume of said iiuid is delivered to the point In some cases, however, itis desired to obtain a constant weight per unit time ln- It is an object of my invention to provide an instrument that will control the flow of a gas such as air to deliver a constant weight at the point of use. `Suchinstrument is provided with response -to physical changes of It is a further object of the invention `to pro- The various acterize my invention are In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system using my novel instrument; l l

Fig. 2 is a View showing one form of compensating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a view showing a modied form of compensating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a View of the my control mechanism; an

Fig. 5 is a front lever arrangement in d lead to the interior of the instrument II and extend up through a tank I5 (Fig. 5) that contains a sealing liquid terial such as thin oil. The pressure tap or pipe I3 extends into the tank I5 above the level of lever 2I.

As the ilow through pipe` 2 changes,` the pressure diierentlal in the pipes I3 and I4 will change I6 of some suitable ma.-f

I0 to motor 8. This other dietallsto be described, but is shown and claimed in Patent 2,125,081, issued to Coleman B. Moore. y

Air is supplied to the control unit I2 through an air line at Il at a suitably regulated pressure as shown by a gauge-34. As the now changes, movement of link 3l will soy adjust the control unit that air under a pressure proportional to l the value of the'fiow, and indicated on gauge 35, will be supplied through pipe I to the motor 8. As air pressure on the diaphragm of :motor 8 is varied the opening of the louvers 3 will be varied to adjust the air intake for the fan and thereby the flow in pipe 2. This arrangement will insure the supply of a constant volume of air through thepipe 2 for any given atmospheric condition. y

In order to change the control point of the instrument or the volume of air supplied for any given atmospheric condition. and in order to compensate for any changes in atmospheric conditions to insure the supply of a constant weight `of air through the pipe 2, the following arrangement is used.

The normally stationary fulcrum point 30 of the lever 29 is mounted on a lever 36 that is pivoted at 31 on the bracket 25.

The other arm of cooperates with scale 48 to indicate the value oi' leverk 36 extends forwardly, as is shown in Figure 2, and is attached to an indicator 'arm 38 that is pivoted at its upper. end `to a depending member 3 9 which extends fronrthe air control unit I2. The indicator arm 38 is moved manually to shift pivot to cha-nge the control point of the instrument and is movedI automatically to compensate for changes in atmospheric conditions.

As is. well known the ilow of a huid through a conduit varies directly as the square root of the absolute pressure and inversely as the square root of the absolute temperature. Therefore, in order to maintain the weight of the air delivered by fan l constant, provision must be made to reduce the volume of now as the-pressure increases and tol increase the volume of flow as the temperature increases. To this end, the adjusting link for indicator 38 is provided with a temperature -responsive member and with a pressure, responsive member.

The adjusting member for indicator 38 and pivot point 30 comprises a link formed of parts 40, 4i and 42, the former of which is connected to the indicating arm and the latter ofwhich is connectedto one arm of a segment shaped lever 43. The latter is pivoted at 44 and is formed on its lower edge with gear teeth that mesh with a pinion 45 which may begrotated either by hand or by a screw driver inserted in a kerf provided thereon. Between the sections and 4I is located a U-shaped bimetallic member which upon an increase in temperature moves its ends together to shorten the total length of the adjustinglink.` Such a movement will raise the control l point of the instrument suillciently to compensate for the increase in temperature. Located between the link sections 4| and 42 is an evacuated increases and decreases in atmospheric pressure. If the atmospheric pressure increases the bellows will be contracted to increase the length of 2l is also provided with an indicating arm 45 that 75 bellows 41 which will contract and expand upon 6 5' occur the'control point of the instrument will be altered accordingly. Since the instrument controls the opening of louvers I to regulate the amount of air admitted to the fan I the delivery of the air from the fan will be adjusted in accordance therewith and a constant weight of air per unit time will be forced through the pipe 2.

Instead of adjusting the control point of the instrument an arrangement may be used to obtain the same results by leaving the control point constant and adjusting the pressure applied under the bell I1 in accordance with changes in atmospheric conditions.

It is a well known fact that a diil'erential meter will read low if there is a leak in the high pressure line connecting with the orice tap. It is also known that if the amount of leakage is constant the meter can be calibrated to read correctly. On the basis of these facts the ilow of al fluid may be compensated for by having adjustable leaks in said high-pressure or up-stream line to the meter, the leaks being adjusted in accordance with changes in atmospheric conditions.

'A device to accomplish this type of compensation is shown in Figure 3 and consists of a short section of pipe 50 to be inserted in the high pressure line I3. The pipe 55 is provided with these nozzles or ports 5|, 52 and 53 through which a predetermined leakage may-occur. The entire section of pipe is enclosed by a boxlike structure '.54 that is provided with suitable openings 55 to permit a circulation of air through the sections of the box.

Since an increase in temperature will cause a dilerential fluid meter to read low the indicator position should be higher in order to read the correct ow based on the original operating condi-A tions. Therefore, there is located in one section of the enclosure 54 a bimetallic spiral 56, that will move in such a direction that its end will restrict the flow through port 5i upon an increase v in temperature to which the spiral is subjected.

vdiilerential fluid meter to read high, so the pen postion should be lower in order for the meter to indicate the correct flow based on the original operating conditions. To this end'an evacuated bellows 51 is located in one of the compartments of the structure 54. Expansion and contraction of the bellows 58 due to atmospheric pressure changes moves a valve member 59, piv'oted at 50, with respect to the port 52 to vary the flow therethrough and the pressure under bell i1. As atmospheric pressure increases the bellows 58 will contract and move valve 59 away from port 52 to permit a greater leakage through the port to cause the indicator 49 to move to its proper position for the cw at the original conditions for which the instrument was set.

The ilow through aline will vary directly as the square root of the amount of moisture in a gas. Therefore, in order to compensate for variations n the relative humidity of the atmosphere aaeavas a humidity responsive member is used to vary the leakage through the port Il. To this end an hygrometric element M, which expandsupon an increase in humidity, is anchoredat its lower end and is attached at its upper end to one arm of a bell-crankvsl, pivoted at 62 and having its other arm act as a valve for the port 53. The bellcrank is biased in a counter-clockwise direction by a spring 63. As the relative humidity of the atmosphere increases the hygrometric member GII willexpand to permit spring 63 to move the lower arm of the bell-crank `6I away from the portl 53 so that more aircan escape from the port. This compensates the position of pointer 49 for the changed condition. t

`Since as the position of the indicator is adjusted the link 3| win also be shifted, the air controller mechanism will be actuated to vary the pressure appliedto the diaphragm of motor B. `'I'his in turn will position louvers 3 so that the correct weight of` air will be `forced through the pipe 2. i I ,l

The pressure and humidity compensating means may also be made responsive to the conditions of the gas in pipe v2 instead of `to the atmosphere by merely removing the partitions in the structure 54 so that the measuring elements for the pressure and humidity will be exposed to the gas entering through the pipe 51, as well as 4 the temperature measuring element 5t V From the above description it will be seen that- I have provided an instrument which will vac curately control the `weight of air or other gas as it is forced through a pipe. The instrument is automatically compensated for variations in the conditions of the gas in a simple inexpensive and accurate manner.

, While in accordance with the provisions `oi the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of my invention now known to me, itwill be apparent to `those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims,

and that in some cases certain features of my in vention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and `desire to secure by Letters Patent is:I

1. In an instrument for controlling the ilow of a iluid through a pipe, means to measure the now of said iluid, means operated thereby to control the iiow of huid, means to adjust the point at which said control means will control said ilow,

and means to vary said adjusting means in accordance with changes in atmospheric conditions.

2. In a control instrument, the combination with means to measure the now of a iiuid through a pipe, means to regulate the amount of said ilow operated by said measuring means, adjusting means to regulate the normal amount oi' flow which the regulating means tends to maintain, a link to move said adjusting means and means to vary the length of said link upon changes in atmospheric conditions.

3. 'In a measuring and control instrument the combination with means to measure the now of a fluid through a conduit, mechanism operated by said measuring means to control said iiow, means to adjust said mechanism whereby dinering means in response to physical changes in atmospheric conditions.

' to measure the flow through said conduit, means to force iiuid through said conduit, means to control the supply oi fluid to said iluid forcing means operated` by said flow measuring means, and means to automatically adjust said control means in response -to ambient conditions of the supply of uid to said fluid forcing means. l

"5. In a measuring and control system,A means to measure the flow of fluid through aconduit, means actuated bysaid measuring means to adjust said control means to tend to maintain a constant volume of fluid fiowing'through said conduit, `and means to adjust said control means to compensate for physical changes'in atmospheric conditionsv whereby the controller will maintain a constant weight iiow through said conduit.` e e e 6. An instrument for controlling the ilow of a fluid through a conduit to a constant weight, comprising means to measure the volume of the -fiow of said iiuid, means `operated by said measuring means Ato control' the ow and means to compensate `said control means for changes in pressure and temperature of said fluid comprising a shiftable member to adjust said control means and a temperature responsive element and a piessure responsive element operatively connected with said shiftable member.

7. In arneasuring and control system the combination with a pipe the `iiow through which is to be measured and controlled, a diierential creating device in said pipe, a ow controller to measure andcontrdl the flow through said pipe in response to the differential across said device, pressure taps from said device tosaid flow controller, a leak in one of said taps and means to vary the opening of said leak in response to variations in an ambient atmospheric condition. l,

8. An instrument for controlling the weight of `aiiuid passing through a conduit comprising a ure the volumerof the ow through said conduit, a control mechanism operated by said device,

pressure pipes leading from `said'conduit to said device, and means for varying the diilerential pressure applied to said device -in .response to changes in atmospheric conditions to compensate ent values ofow will be maintained in said conduit, and devices forming part of said adjusting for volume changes. l

9. In a .diilerential pressure measuring device means to measure a differential pressure, means to transmit said differential pressure to said device. and means to vary said diiierential in response to changes in temperature, pressure and humidity of the atmosphere.

10. In a now controller the combination with control means to control the flow ot a fluid through'a conduit, dlierential pressure measuring 'means to operate said control means to tend to maintain a constant volume of flow, means to compensate for ambient condition changes in the ilowing iluid comprising means to vary the differential pressure applied to said measuring means in response to changes in the flowing uid, whereby a constant weight of the flowing fluid will be maintained. l

11i In an instrument to measure and control the ilow of a iiuid through a conduit, the combination of a mechanism responsive to a difierential pressurecreated by the ow ofthe fluid, air control apparatus adapted to adjust instrumentalities to regulate the flow oi' the uid operated by the said responsive mechanismfsaid mecha' nism including means responsive to". temperature and pressure o! the atmosphere adjacent the conduit through which the nuid is il'owing to correspondingly adjust theI responsive mechanism.

12. In a measuring and controlling 'instrument for controlling the now oi' fluid' through' a pipe. means to measure `the flow of said ynuiiifmeans operated thereby to control the? ilcwv'of liluid, means to adjust the point at which said control means will control said ow andineans to4 operate said adjusting v means in accordance with changes in the temperature and changes in the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding said iny strument.

13. In a control instrument, the combination with means to measure the ow of uid-through a pipe, means to regulate theambunt of said ow operated by said measuring means.- adjusting means to regulate the normalv amount of flow that the regulating means tends to maintain, a

llii'ilito move said adjusting means and means to vary thelength .of said link responsive to changes in temperature and changes in pressure of the v atmosphere surrounding the instrument.

14. In a measuring and control instrument for controlling the weight of air 'flow through a conduit, the combination with measuring means, control means actuatedl thereby, means to adjust the value at whichthe control means will tend to maintain the weight of the air, anda temperature responsive element and a pressure responsive element forming part of said' adjusting means whereby changes in temperature and pressure adjacent'said adjusting means will alter the setting of said adjusting means.

15.v Ina flow control system', a conduit through abonnee time. means operated by said measuring means lso which a fluid is adapted to iiow,- an instrument to measurethe flowk through said conduit, means to force said iiuidl through said conduit, means operated by said measuring means to control the supply of fluid through said forcing means, and means to automatically adjust said control means in'response to ambient temperature and pressure conditions of the supply of iuidV to said -uid forcing means. g

16. In acontrol instrument comprising means ,to measure a physical property of the flow of air through a conduit which flow of air is to be measured and controlled at a constant weight per unit to control the amount oi said air nowing to somo predetermined point, meansto adjust said control mean's comprising a shiitable member andx means to vary the'length of said member in response to atmospheric temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions.

' 17. In a measuring and control instrument the combination oi means responsive to the weight of a uid flowing through a conduit, means operated by said nrst means upon changes in the weight of said fluid to act to return said weight to a normal value, and mechanism responsive to variations in atmospheric -temperature vand atmospheric pressure adjacent the'instrument to adjust the norm'al operation of said instrument to compensate for the temperature and pressure changes.

18. In an instrument for measuring and controlling the now of a iluid, the combination with' measuring means, control means actuated thereby, means to adjust the value at which the con trol means will tend to maintain the ow being controlled, and a temperature responsive elementand a pressure responsive element forming part of said adjusting means whereby changes in temperature and pressure will alter said adjusting means.

19. A measuring and control instrument for. controlling the now of a uid comprising, meansto measure the now of the fluid being measured and controlled, means operated by said measuring means to control the flow of said uid at some predetermined point, means to adjust said control means comprising a. shiftable member and means to vary the length of said member in response to changes in atmospheric temperature and pressure conditions.

20. In an instrument for measuring and con-V trolling the ow of a fluid, the combination of means responsive to the variations in the volume of the measurable flowing ud, air operated means to control the ow of the fluid, means arranged to adjust said control means in response to variations in said flow noted by said responsive means, and mechanism responsive to variations in atmospheric conditions to regulate said responsive means in accordance therewith.

LOUIS GESS.

the setting 0f 

